Continuously identify cyber assets as they join or leave a network.
Explore Surface CommandIT asset discovery is the process of identifying and cataloging all technology assets across an organization’s network. This includes hardware, software, cloud services, and connected devices. The practice ensures an organization has visibility into all assets that could potentially expose it to risk. In a modern network – where assets constantly evolve, proliferate, and/or unplug – keeping track of each device, application, and service is crucial for maintaining security and compliance.
By implementing IT asset discovery, organizations create a comprehensive inventory, enabling security teams to better understand their infrastructure and conduct full-scope IT asset management (ITAM). More than just an inventory function, IT asset discovery underpins critical security efforts, providing the visibility needed to manage and protect a dynamic environment.
This is especially important for organizations that must comply with industry regulations or meet internal security standards. Prompted by the sheer number of unknown assets creating untold vulnerabilities on crucial federal networks, the United States Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) issued the 2022 binding operational directive aimed at improving visibility and vulnerability detection on official governmental networks.
Effective IT asset discovery combines various approaches to create a complete view of an organization's technology environment. Two primary methods – active and passive discovery – each have distinct benefits and challenges, contributing unique insights into overall network visibility. Let’s take a deeper look at each method.
Active asset discovery involves directly scanning the network to identify devices, applications, and services. This method is proactive, using network probes or agents to send requests to devices and log their responses.
Active discovery can provide real-time data and detailed asset information like IP address, operating system, and open ports. However, because it generates network traffic, active discovery can occasionally disrupt services or be detected by sensitive network devices, creating an imperative to thoughtfully schedule scans.
In contrast, passive asset discovery listens to network traffic rather than directly interacting with devices. By analyzing traffic patterns and communications between devices, passive discovery tools can identify assets without generating additional network load. This approach is particularly useful for environments where uninterrupted service is critical, as it allows discovery to occur in real-time without causing disruptions.
Both active and passive IT asset discovery methods are essential in creating a well-rounded asset discovery strategy. By using these approaches in tandem, organizations can gain complete and continuous visibility into their IT environments, ensuring all assets are monitored and accounted for.
Within active and passive approaches, IT asset discovery can also be broken down by type, based on what assets it aims to uncover:
The IT asset discovery process is a continuous one that ensures organizations maintain up-to-date visibility into their dynamic environments. By following a structured approach, teams can efficiently identify, catalog, and monitor assets to enhance security.
The process begins with defining the scope, where teams determine the types of assets to discover and the environments to scan – on-premises, cloud, or hybrid. Once the scope is established, discovery tools are deployed to actively or passively scan the network and identify assets. During this phase, data is collected, including asset details such as IP addresses, device types, and installed software.
The collected data is then analyzed and cataloged to create an inventory of all discovered assets, enabling organizations to comprehensively map their technology landscape. Next, security and compliance assessments are conducted to identify vulnerabilities, ensure adherence to policies, and flag any unauthorized or shadow IT assets.
Finally, organizations continuously monitor their environment, repeating the discovery process to account for changes such as newly added devices, software updates, or retired systems. This iterative approach ensures inventory remains accurate and evolves alongside the organization’s technology landscape, enabling teams to promptly detect and respond to new risks.
The benefits of IT asset discovery are more than just enhanced forms of visibility. By uncovering and cataloging assets, organizations can improve their cloud security posture, optimize operations, and meet compliance requirements, even in rapidly changing environments.
With comprehensive IT asset discovery, organizations gain visibility into all assets on their network, including unauthorized or shadow IT. This visibility enables security teams to identify vulnerabilities, monitor high-risk assets, and address potential attack surface vectors before they can be exploited.
By maintaining an up-to-date inventory of assets, IT teams can streamline operations and allocate resources more effectively. Discovery tools help identify redundant or underutilized assets, optimize software license usage, and prevent downtime by proactively managing asset lifecycles. This efficiency can translate into cost savings and improved IT service delivery.
Many industries require organizations to maintain detailed records of their IT assets to comply with security standards and regulations. IT asset discovery ensures that all assets – including those that could otherwise go unnoticed – are documented and monitored. This reduces the risk of non-compliance, avoids penalties, and provides a clear audit trail in case overseeing entities come knocking.
Selecting the right IT asset discovery tool is essential for ensuring effective asset management and security. By following best practices, organizations can choose a solution that meets their unique needs, integrates seamlessly with existing systems, and provides comprehensive visibility.